Ask Congress to vote against attack on Syria

Syria's ruler, Bashar al-Assad, is an Alawite, a subset of the Shiite branch of the Islamic religion, and the Syrian rebels generally are of the Sunni branch. The factions don't get along and have been viciously fighting each other for centuries, currently in Syria. A problem that affects the United States is that al-Qaida fighters make up a significant share of the rebel forces and thus, if the rebels win, will be strong players in deciding who runs the country. Additionally, the Israelis are concerned that any military action will spill over into their country. If that should happen, the United States will be faced with the problem of whether to commit ground forces. It's a no-win for the United States.

The president has decided to ask for congressional approval before he would strike Syria with military force. This decision follows his administration's conclusion that Assad has used poison gas on its own citizens and should be punished by the international community. However, no country has volunteered to join the United States by committing troops and equipment in a meaningful way. A problem for the president is that he earlier attempted to bluff Assad by drawing a red line and telling him that if he crossed it there would be repercussions. Assad did cross and there have been repercussions, mostly voices of disapproval. Not every foreign policy ploy works.

What should you and I do? I suggest that we contact our senators and representatives and encourage them to take a strong position against our taking military action.

Ralph Dunlevy

Indianapolis

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Ask Congress to vote against attack on Syria

Syria's ruler, Bashar al-Assad, is an Alawite, a subset of the Shiite branch of the Islamic religion, and the Syrian rebels generally are of the Sunni branch.